Sunday, March 29, 2009

I've been wanting to make a blouse with puffy sleeves for a while now but I knew that at my age I had to limit the amount of pouf.Well,I really liked this pattern View A

and it was time for me to make a store display (for Fabricville). The spring summer fabrics have been pouring into the store and I chose a silk cotton striped jacquard in bright red because we have to wear red, black or white tops for work.Therefore this piece fits in very well with the rules of Swap.

I decided to use the bias for the front and back side pieces

I interfaced the collar and the front with silk organza and lined the whole thing with cotton voile of the same red colour. So essentially I had to make the blouse twice and then sew it together. I closed the unfinished section at the back hem with Steam-a-Seam (I love Steam-a-Seam)

The pattern was well drafted.I had no trouble with it.I made my usual FBA alteration and added one inch fit insurance at the side seams. It was a good thing because for this pattern I needed most of that inch at the bust in spite of my FBA.As for the curved pieces, I stay stitched the front and back sections and clipped the seam every 3/4 " or so and this allowed the curved pieces to fit in very nicely.

The sleeves were made in two parts:the puffy outer layer and a liner.(I forgot to take a picture). I suspected that the end result would be too extreme for me but I went ahead and finished it so I could take it to work the next day. I have to leave it on display for two months before I can bring it home so I'll alter the sleeves when that time comes.

I really like the lay of the collar but it doesn't look good opened as it is in View A of the pattern.

My husband wasn't home to take a picture (it's probably just as well.It was too funny) so here it is on Bertha.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

I've been absent from the blogging scene because I wanted to concentrate on finishing my Swap . Well I didn't exactly finish, but I did complete my jacket and a matching skirt.I decided to keep a time log and calculated that I spent a total of more than 30 hours including six hours of hand sewing on this jacket. I enjoyed the process very much but I have to admit that I don't want to make another coat of any kind any time soon.

For the jacket I used this OOP pattern that I included in my original Swap plan. ( My Swap looks nothing like that plan).

For the skirt I used this Mc'Calls pattern:

I used this same pattern for my daughter's skirt at Christmas time and made the same changes so I won't say much about it. If you want you can look here to see how I altered the style of the pattern.

For both pieces, I used a black and grey herringbone wool. I lined the jacket with a Kasha lining and the skirt with a poly satin (because I forgot to pick up some burgundy Bemberg and didn't want to wait until I got some) . I thought I would tie the two linings together by using the printed satin for the piping on the jacket facing .

Now back to the jacket.I made my usual FBA and added one inch at the side seams but didn't need it. I sloped the shoulders and took off a half inch from the shoulder width. I made some changes to the originalstyle by adding about five inches to the length (I added the length at the waist (1") at the hip (3") and at the bottom (1").

I also added welt pockets. On the original there were only flaps but no pockets.

The design details on my jacket are all centred on leather- the collar, the pocket flaps,the cuff piping, the bound buttonholes and the covered buttons.All of the leather came from that $10.00 leather skirt I bought from Value Villageand which I also used on these pants.

So here it is with the pencil skirt. I wore the suit today to church and got a lot of compliments. It really is an ideal outfit for church.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Last winter ,I bought a nice soft 100% wool sweater knit thinking I wool make View C of the . Marci Tilton T-Shirt pattern. I decided to prewash my wool in cold water on gentle cycle. Well ,I was completely shocked to find that my beautiful knit had metamorphosed into about half its size and at least three times its thickness.This was to my way of thinking probably a perfect example of felted wool.

I had this pattern and immediately decided that my felted wool would be perfect for View B.And Voila! So it became!

I only had 1.25 meters to achieve this garment so it was a real challenge. I managed by using a poly-fleece of close to the same colour for the under collar and the facings.In this photo you can see the under collar. It blends quite well with the wool ,so It turned out OK.

I decided not to change the pattern this time. I didn't add anything at all. I used loops as the pattern required but only put in three instesd of four. And I had these pretty flower buttons in my collection and they did the trick.

I finished the seams in two different ways. For the side seams, I top-stitched on either side and trimmed off the excess. For the facings, I used a Hongkong finish . I added a wide bias strip to the back hem to make it even with the facings.I left the sleeves for now. They are very thick with the pleats and all so I didn't want to tackle them.

This Jacket can also be worn as a sweater around the house. I'm always cold and I'm wearing it right now as a matter of fact.It will be great with my Swap jeans, or any jeans. I can wear it with my Swap skirt for a dressier look.I think I'll get a lot of wear out of this piece.

For now it's an extra piece. If something should happen that I couldn't finish my Swap jacket ( which I've been working on for a couple of weeks now), then this could serve as the jacket for my Swap.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Thank you to Ann and Claire who sent me this Sisterhood Award. I really appreciate this because that is exactly what we all are isn't it? Sisters who love to sew. It's as simple as that really.

The rules of this award are:1. Put the logo on your blog or post .2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received your award.

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About Me

A truly happy life,a wonderful husband, three children and two stepchildren who all make me proud; six beloved grandchildren who bring me so much joy
Sewing is not only my hobby but my passion and my creative outlet.I couldn't live without it.

My Swap 2009

Welcome To My Blog

I'd like to thank all of you who stop by to visit and to look at what I make.You, my sewing friends from cyberspace, are dear to me .Knowing you're out there in many parts of the world thrills me. You enrich my life with your kind comments and your inspiration.LOL.Diana (aka Sew Passionista)